David Siegel is the founder and president of Westgate Resorts, which according to the company, is the largest privately-owned company in Central Florida.

The company employs 6,500 people.

The text of Siegel's letter is similar to a chain e-mail that has circulated for years on the Internet -- some of the text was unchanged from the chain e-mail -- but Siegel confirmed to WESH 2 that he did send it.

In the e-mail, Siegel says the tax burden imposed by the government is making it harder to run a business.

"The economy doesn't currently pose a threat to your job. What does threaten your job however, is another 4 years of the same Presidential administration. Of course, as your employer, I can't tell you whom to vote for, and I certainly wouldn't interfere with your right to vote for whomever you choose," the letter reads.

Siegel said he stands by the e-mail and said he isn't bullying because he won't know how his employees vote.

"Am I trying to influence people as to how they vote? Absolutely, by giving them the facts," Siegel told WESH 2. "I wanted them to hear from me about how this election could affect their livelihoods."

In his e-mail, Siegel said the administration and the media have cast employers against employees.

"They want you to believe that we live in a class system where the rich get richer, the poor get poorer. They label us the '1%' and imply that we are somehow immune to the challenges that face our country," he said.

Siegel went on to explain the hard work and sacrifices he made since he began the company 42 years ago in the garage of his "modest" home.

"Now, the economy is falling apart and people like me who made all the right decisions and invested in themselves are being forced to bail out all the people who didn't," the e-mail said. (That paragraph appears to be taken word for word from the chain e-mail circulated as far back as 2008.)

Siegel goes on to explain how if new taxes are imposed on the company, he will have to cut down in size.

"So, when you make your decision to vote, ask yourself, which candidate understands the economics of business ownership and who doesn't? Whose policies will endanger your job? Answer those questions and you should know who might be the one capable of protecting and saving your job," the letter reads.

"My motivation to work and to provide jobs will be destroyed, and with it, so will your opportunities. If that happens, you can find me in the Caribbean sitting on the beach, under a palm tree, retired, and with no employees to worry about. Signed, your boss."

Siegel said many of his employees appreciated the e-mail.

The department of state said it has no legal or ethical issues with the e-mail.

"An employer can voice his opinion as long as he isn't intimidating them to vote for a particular candidate," the department said in a statement.